William Piesch, Jr.

AIKEN, SC - William Albert Piesch, Jr. , 87, died Saturday, March 10, 2012. Bill was born in Brooklyn, New York on Sept. 5, 1925, the only child of the late William A. and Harriet Brady Piesch. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. Between high school and college, he had proudly served with the U .S. Army Air Forces during World War II in the Pacific as a tail-gunner on a B-25. After graduating from Rensselaer in l950 with a degree in Industrial & Management Engineering, he joined the DuPont Orchem Department at their Chambers Works. Two years later he transferred to the Explosives A.E. Division in Wilmington, Delaware and in August l952, came to the Savannah River Plant. He worked in Plant Records Division, Payrolls and Clerical and for many years served as a Personnel Manager. He was past chairman of the United Fund at the SRP and for many years served as Master of Ceremonies for the DuPont 25-year Banquets. He retired from DuPont when Westinghouse took over as Contractor for the SRP. However, he stayed on with them as Human Resource Manager until 1995 when he officially retired from the business world. At this time he was free to enjoy his favorite past-time as a 5-handicapper golfer. Over the years some of his most memorable times were working at the Augusta National during the prestigious Masters Golf Tournament as a “scorer” and getting to play the course with his buddies. He was a member of the Houndslake Country Club’s men’s morning golf group known as “the Piesch Group” and the S.C. Seniors’ Golf Association. He was a practicing parishioner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church here in Aiken. Bill was truly a family man. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren. They each held a special place in his heart. He will truly be missed by so many family members and friends. However, he now is in the presence of our Lord and the family members gone before him. He is survived by his wife Peggy Robinette Piesch, 4 children - Reushe H.Stokes (Evan) & Timothy Piesch both of Aiken, Alison Piesch of No. Augusta, and Tracey P. Gronde (Jeff) of Myrtle Beach, SC. 5 grandchildren and one great grandchild. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his grand-daughter Whitney L. Harley of Aiken. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday at Millbrook Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Eddie Leopard and the Reverend Dr. Chris Masters officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. His burial will be private for the family. Bill's family wishes to thank everyone who helped take care of him both at home and at the Aiken Community Hospital. A special thank you goes to Maxine Harley, his personal care-giver who was with him going on four years. Maxine quickly became a part of our family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association , 2999 Sunset Blvd., Suite 102 West Columbia, SC 29169. Mr. Piesch's online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Piesch, Jr., please visit our flower store.